Rail passengers who travel on one of the district’s busiest routes have hit out at the latest proposals to ease overcrowding on the line.

The Wharfedale route, from Ilkley to Leeds and Bradford, has experienced high levels of passenger growth since it was electrified in the mid-1990s.

Network Rail’s draft Route Utilisation Strategy, put out for consultation three months ago, said train and platform lengthening would be relatively straightforward, and suggested that the four busiest services should be lengthened from four to six carriage formations.

But Peter Wilkinson, chairman of Wharfedale Rail Users’ Group (WRUG), said the proposal to add two coaches to each of four Leeds trains was “far too simplistic”.

He said: “It will not provide enough seats for commuters in future years.

“Within five or so years there could be more people standing than now – and it does nothing to adjust the frequency and times of peak hour trains to meet users’ requirements.”

Mr Wilkinson said WRUG had sent its official response to the consultation and had given the “thumbs down” to the plans. The group said a combination of both longer and more frequent trains was needed.

None of the proposals outlined in the plan are likely to be introduced until 2012, so WRUG is seeking a meeting with Northern Rail and West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, Metro, to see what can be done in the meantime.

The group believes there is an urgent need for more seats in the morning peak and the re-timing of trains in the evening peak.

WRUG will also ask for an earlier train to Leeds from Monday to Friday to give people travelling to London a booked connection with the 6.40am departure from Leeds.

Better early services on Saturdays and Sundays are also requested.

e-mail: will.kilner@telegraphandargus.co.uk